South Somerset District Council officials remind people to clear up dog mess

COUNCIL officials are once again having to remind dog owners to make sure they clear up the mess left behind by their pets.

After recent heavy rain across South Somerset, it would appear that many dog walkers are not taking their dogs on their usual walking routes but instead using local roads and lanes to avoid both
dog and owner getting muddy.

A particular popular route for dog walkers appears to be Catchgate Lane in Chard where many dog owners seem to be forgetting to take their poop scoop bags and clean up after their pets.

South Somerset District Council's enforcement officers have received several complaints in the past few weeks from local residents regarding the amount of dog mess being left in the lane.

The enforcement officers will be mounting regular patrols of the area in a bid to catch any offenders failing to remove their pet's mess.

A council spokesman said: “We would also like to remind dog owners that, fixed penalty notices can be issued on the evidence of any member of the public.

“If anyone sees anyone not cleaning up after their dog please report the incident, giving the enforcement officers as much information as possible.”

Dog walkers are reminded that they should be clearing up after their dogs everywhere, even when they go back to using footpaths for their regular walks.

Cllr Jo Roundell Greene, who is responsible for environment matters in the district, added: “We want to make it clear that failing to remove dog fouling is unacceptable and that we can issue fixed
penalties for this offence.

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“Our enforcement team will be stepping up their patrols not just in Catchgate Lane, but across the district.”

Incidents of dog fouling can be reported to the council by calling 01935-462462 and speaking to an enforcement officer confidentially.

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Comments (2)

South Somerset District Council officials remind people to clear up dog mess

Wurzeld says...12:02pm Tue 7 Aug 12

I have lived over looking the Ilminster rec for 20 years and have never seen the dog warden. Why is there no number to contact the dog warden directly? If you fill in the form on the ssdc website it says they should reply within 7 days, not much chance of catching the culprit then.

I have lived over looking the Ilminster rec for 20 years and have never seen the dog warden. Why is there no number to contact the dog warden directly? If you fill in the form on the ssdc website it says they should reply within 7 days, not much chance of catching the culprit then.Wurzeld

I have lived over looking the Ilminster rec for 20 years and have never seen the dog warden. Why is there no number to contact the dog warden directly? If you fill in the form on the ssdc website it says they should reply within 7 days, not much chance of catching the culprit then.

Score: 0

Plymouthboy says...7:51am Wed 8 Aug 12

I regularly walk my dog in the Catchgate Lane area and always clean up, but would agree there is a big problem. However I have been asking the Council for a dog pooh bin for over 5 years, but no joy. Come on SSDC install a dog bin for everybodys benefit.In Yeovil I see dog bins every 100yards or so, lets have more in Chard.

I regularly walk my dog in the Catchgate Lane area and always clean up, but would agree there is a big problem. However I have been asking the Council for a dog pooh bin for over 5 years, but no joy. Come on SSDC install a dog bin for everybodys benefit.In Yeovil I see dog bins every 100yards or so, lets have more in Chard.Plymouthboy

I regularly walk my dog in the Catchgate Lane area and always clean up, but would agree there is a big problem. However I have been asking the Council for a dog pooh bin for over 5 years, but no joy. Come on SSDC install a dog bin for everybodys benefit.In Yeovil I see dog bins every 100yards or so, lets have more in Chard.

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